Grip pads and article of footwear for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A grip pad assembly ( 10 ) including an outer pad member ( 12 ) having an upper surface defining a non-slip surface and an insert ( 18 ) within the pad member ( 12 ) having on its upper surface, a hook and loop material ( 20 ) and a central ridge ( 22 ). The pad assembly ( 10 ) may be used on a surfboard, or other watercraft, or in any other application where enhanced grip is required, in combination with an article of footwear ( 40 ). The article of footwear ( 40 ) comprises a first retaining portion ( 45, 46 ) adapted to extend over and be secured to the foot of a user, a second retaining portion ( 43, 44 ) adapted to extend over and be secured to the ankle of the user and a complementary hook and loop fastener ( 47 ) on its undersurface. The footwear may have a means ( 51 ) for securing a leg rope for connection to the surfboard.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to grip pads which in particular aresuited for use in wet or slippery areas and most particularly for use onwatercraft such as surfboards. This invention also relates to an articleof footwear for use with such pads.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Watercraft such as surfboards generally have a smooth fiberglasssurface. To improve grip a wax coating may be applied however this is atedious process and needs to be repeated at regular intervals.Additional forms of grip enhancing means comprise pads of a suitableplastics material however pads of this form whilst assisting inpreventing slip, do not provided a positive grip between a surfboardrider and the surfboard.

[0003] In our Australian Patent No 713636, we disclose a deck pad foruse in combination with a garment worn by a person, the pad having azone or zones of a hook and loop type fastener and the garment havingone or more zones of a complementary hook and loop type fastener. Byvarying the position of placement of the garment on the pad, the contactbetween the zones can be varied to control the extent of engagementbetween the garment and pad. The pad can be used in a number ofdifferent applications such as a deck pad on a watercraft such as asurfboard in which case the garment is in the form of an article offootwear having on its underside the zone or zones of hook and loop typefastener. Whilst this pad functions efficiently, wear on the hook andloop fastener can necessitate replacement of the whole pad and similarlyif different grip properties are required.

[0004] The article of footwear however is usually in the form of abootie in which case left and right boots are required to be worn by theuser. Further as the footwear is in the form of a bootie, the whole ofthe foot is covered so that a user, say of a surfboard, lacks “feel”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention aims to provide in one aspect an improveddeck or grip pad for use on watercraft such as surfboards or otherwatercraft, skateboards or any other article, or in any other area whereenhanced grip is required. The present invention further aims to providean article of footwear designed particularly to be used with a pad ofthe type described above but which may be used with any othercomplementary pad. The present invention furether aims to provide anarticle of footwear which may be used both on the left and right footand which will be effective and efficient in use. Other objects andadvantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription.

[0006] The present invention thus provides in a first aspect a deck padassembly, said pad assembly comprising a pad member and at least oneinsert within said pad member, said pad assembly being adapted to beattached to the deck of a watercraft, skateboard or other article towhich enhanced grip is required, said insert or inserts having on its ortheir upper surface, a hook and loop fastener adapted for cooperationwith a garment having one or more zones of a complementary hoop and loopfastener.

[0007] In use, by varying the position of placement of the garment onthe pad or pad assembly and thus varying the contact between the hookand loop fastener of the garment and the pad assembly, the personwearing the garment can selectively control the extent of engagement andthus grip between the garment and pad assembly.

[0008] The term “hook and loop fastener” as used in the presentspecification refers to either portion of a fastener comprising twoportions, namely a hook portion and a portion complementary to the hookportion for example a loop portion such that the two portions arereleasable interconnected when brought into contact with each other.Such fasteners are known under the trade mark VELCRO. The use of theterm also includes those types of fasteners known as hook and hookfasteners in which there are opposing portions of interlockable hooks.The term also includes any other touch and grip type fastener of thetype in which temporary interconnection is achieved when the twocomponents thereof are brought into contact with each other.

[0009] The pad assembly of the present invention may be used for anyapplication where it is desirable for a person's grip on a surface to beenhanced. For example, the pad assembly may be attached to the deck ofarticles such as surfboards, body boards, skateboards, jet skis,sailboards and yachts.

[0010] Thus in a further particular aspect the present inventionprovides a surfboard deck pad assembly for attachment to the deck of asurfboard, said pad assembly including a pad member and at least oneinsert within said pad member, said at least one insert having on itsupper surface, a hook and loop fastener and said pad member having azone or zones comprising a non-slip surface. The zone or zones of hookand loop fastener may substantially cover the insert.

[0011] Alternatively, the pad assembly can be in the form of a mat forplacement on slippery or other wet surfaces such as wet floors and alsoin snow and ice. Thus in a further aspect, the present inventionprovides a ground or floor pad assembly for use on slippery surfacessuch as wet areas or in snow or on ice in combination with a garmentworn by a person, said pad assembly comprising a pad member and at leastone insert within said pad member, said pad assembly having a pluralityof grip enhancing zones having different grip properties, at least oneof said zones comprising a hook and loop fastener on said at least oneinsert and said garment having one or more zones of a complementary hoopand loop fastener such that in use, by varying the position of placementof said garment on said pad assembly and thus varying the contactbetween said zones of said garment and said pad assembly, said personwearing the garment can selectively control the extent of engagementbetween said garment and said pad assembly to vary the grip between saidgarment and said pad assembly.

[0012] The pad assembly may have more than one insert, each carrying thehook and loop fastener such that in use a person can control the extentof engagement between the garment and the pad assembly by selectivelyengaging different proportions of the hook and loop fastener on theinserts or different inserts. The hook and loop type fastener may be ofany size, location or density depending upon the desired use of the padassembly. Most preferably however the hook and loop fastener coverssubstantially all of the upper exposed surface of the insert or inserts.

[0013] The pad member of the pad assembly is suitably apertured toreceive the insert or inserts, the insert or inserts for this purposehaving an external configuration complementary to the shape of theaperture. The pad member may have a single central aperture to receivean insert such that the pad member peripherally surrounds the insertcarrying the hook and loop fastener. The pad member may have more thanone aperture to receive respective inserts.

[0014] The insert may have one or more raised ribs or ridges on itsupper side to enhance grip. The nbs or ridges suitably extendlongitudinally relative to the pad assembly.

[0015] The insert or insert may have zones of hook and loop fastenerhaving different densities of either hooks or loops. A zone of hook andloop fastener with a low density of hooks or loops will normally engagea garment having a complementary fastener to a lesser extent than a zonehaving a high density of hooks or loops. The extent of engagement can becontrolled by selectively engaging zones having different densities.

[0016] Most preferably the pad member includes at least one zone of anon-slip material defining a non-slip surface. The zone of the non-slipmaterial suitably covers substantially all of the upper surface of thepad member. Such a pad member is especially suitable for use onwatercraft such as surfboards. A rider is able to disengage part of thegarment whilst remaining in contact with the non-slip surface. This isdesirable in applications such as surfboards as it allows a rider tooptimize control and/or grip of the surfboard as desired.

[0017] Non-slip materials which may be used in the preferred pad memberare known and typically include flexible foam materials. Suitable foammaterials include urethanes, vinylchloride foam material or olefinicmaterials such as polyethylene and copolymers of ethylene with vinylacetate. An especially preferred material is ethylene vinyl acetate foam(EVA). The physical properties of the foam may vary and may be selectedaccording to the desired substrate to which the pad assembly is to beattached. For example, if the pad assembly is to be used on areas whereshock absorption is required, the density and thickness of the foam maybe varied accordingly. Preferably the foam has a thickness of 6 to 12 mmand most preferably about 10 mm. The surface of the material may also bemodified as desired and may be embossed or moulded in an anti-slipfriction increasing pattern. Preferably when the pad is to be used onwatercraft the foam is provided with water shedding channels or thelike.

[0018] The pad assembly is suitably attachable to the deck or othersubstrate typically by an adhesive. Preferably, the lower surfaces ofboth the pad member and insert are provided with a layer of a pressuresensitive or contact adhesive. The adhesive is typically strong enoughto allow the components of the pad assembly to remain on the substrateduring use, but to allow the pad member and/or insert to be removed andreplaced as desired. It will be appreciated that in some applicationsthe pad assembly may simply be placed on a surface without an adhesiveand may be held in place by frictional engagement between the lowersurface of the pad assembly and the substrate. Pad assemblies of thistype may be in the form of mats for placement on wet or other slipperyareas when and where desired. Preferably, both the pad member and insertare provided with a self adhesive backing to enable the pad member andinsert to be secured separately to the surface to which the pad assemblyis to be attached. This enables either the insert or the pad member tobe replaced in the event of wear or substitution or replacement if aninsert or pad member having different properties is required. Forexample, the insert may be provided with a hook and loop material ofdifferent density or with sections of different densities.

[0019] Preferably, the hook and loop fastener on the insert is disposed,at least around the outer periphery of the insert, below the surface ofthe adjacent portions of the pad member to reduce the possibility ofdetachment of the hook and loop fastener from the insert or detachmentof the insert itself. Most preferably, the outer edges of the hook andloop fastener are folded downwardly around the periphery of the insert.

[0020] Whilst the insert in the above configuration is used incombination with a surrounding pad member, it may also be used itself asa separate grip pad. Thus, the present invention in a further aspectprovides a grip pad, said pad having an upper side, a hook and loopfastener substantially covering said upper side and adapted forcooperation with a garment having one or more zones of a complementaryhoop and loop fastener, said pad further having on is upper side atleast one raised grip enhancing ridge.

[0021] In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides asurfboard deck pad for attachment to the deck of a surfboard, said padhaving an upper side, at least one raised ridge on said upper side, anda hook and loop fastener substantially covering said upper side. The padwhen applied to use on a surfboard suitably is of elongated form and theridge or ridges suitably extend longitudinally relative to the pad.

[0022] In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a groundor floor pad for use in combination with a garment worn by a person,said pad having an upper side, a grip enhancing zone comprising a hookand loop fastener substantially covering said upper side, and at leastone raised ridge on said upper side and said garment having a zone orzones of a complementary hook and loop fastener such that in use, byvarying the position of placement of said garment on said pad and thusvarying the contact between said hook and loop fasteners of said garmentand said pad, said person wearing the garment can selectively controlthe extent of engagement between said garment and said pad to vary thegrip between said garment and said pad. The hook and loop type fastenermay be of any size or density depending upon the desired use of the pad.

[0023] The pad suitably includes a body having an upper surface which iscovered in the hook and loop fastener. The material of the body maycomprise a foam material. Suitable foam materials include urethanes,vinylchloride foam material or olefinic materials such as polyethyleneand copolymers of ethylene with vinyl acetate. An especially preferredmaterial is ethylene vinyl acetate foam (EVA). The physical propertiesof the foam may vary and may be selected according to the desiredsubstrate to which the pad is to be attached. For example, if the pad isto be used on areas where shock absorption is required, the density andthickness of the foam may be varied accordingly.

[0024] The pad suitable is formed by having the body moulded with theridge or ridges integral. The ridge or ridges may extend only part wayalong the pad or fully along the pad. Where one ridge is provided, itpreferably is located centrally of the pad which is preferably ofelongated form. Where more than one ridge is provided, they are suitablyarranged symmetrically relative to the longitudinal centerline of thebody. The hook and loop fastener may be affixed to the upper surface ofthe body by adhesives or alternatively may be moulded with the base.

[0025] The pad typically is used in combination with a garment worn by aperson to enable the person to grip or engage the pad. Typically thegarment's outer surface has at least one complementary portion of thehook and loop fastener affixed thereto. The outer surface of the garmentmay be completely covered with the hook and loop fastener or may haveone or more sections of the hook and loop type fastener attachedthereto. Alternatively the garment itself may be made from a loopedportion which can engage a corresponding hooked portion on the pad.Preferably however the looped portion of the hook and loop fastener ison the pad and the hooked portion is attached to the garment.

[0026] Any type of garment may be used in combination with the padassembly or grip pad and any part of a garment can be adapted forengagement with the pad or pad assembly. For example, the garment maycomprise a wetsuit or the like in which the hook and loop fastener isaffixed to the chest portion. Such a garment would be suitable for usewith a surfboard or body board to facilitate grip when paddling orriding. In applications where it is desirable that there is a largeamount of grip between the garment and grip pad or pad assembly such ason a surfboard for aerial maneuvers, the surface area of hook and loopfastener on garment is at least the size surface area of the hook andloop type fastener the grip pad or insert of the pad assembly so as toprovide the maximum engageable surface. Alternatively in applicationswhere such a degree of engagement is not required, such on the deck of aboat, the zones of hook and loop fastener may be substantially smaller.The surface or surfaces of the grip pad or insert may also have areas inwhich the distribution of the hook and loop fastener varies. The grippad and insert may have zones of hook and loop fastener having differentdensities of either hooks or loops. A zone of hook and loop with a lowdensity of loops will normally engage a garment having a complementarysurface to a lesser extent than a zone having a high density of hooks orloops. The extent of engagement can be controlled by selectivelyengaging zones having different densities.

[0027] Most preferably, the garment for use with the pad assembly orgrip pad is a boot, sandal or other article of footwear or may beadapted to be fitted over existing footwear such as a boot.

[0028] Thus in a further aspect, the present invention provides articleof footwear having a first retaining portion adapted to extend over andbe secured about the foot of a user and a second retaining portionadapted to extend around and be secured to the ankle of a user, and agrip zone comprising a hook and loop fastener adapted to be located inuse under the foot of the wearer so as to leave the toes and the heelfree, said hook and loop fastener being adapted to be releasablyconnected to a grip pad or article having a complementary hook and loopfastener.

[0029] The present invention in further aspect provides article offootwear for use with a surfboard or other water-craft, said article offootwear including a first retaining portion adapted to extend over andbe secured to the foot of the user and a second retaining portionadapted to extend around and be secured to the ankle of a user, andmeans for attaching a leg rope for connection to said surfboard or otherwater-craft.

[0030] The article of footwear suitably comprises a main body formed ofa wetsuit material such as neoprene or any other material which is flator planar prior to attachment to the foot of the user.

[0031] The first retaining portion suitably includes opposite strapswhich may be formed integrally with the main body and which may belooped about the foot of the user and interconnected. Suitably, thestraps carry complementary hook and loop fasteners which permit thestraps to be interconnected. One of the portions of hook and loopfastener on one strap may be extended to form a tongue which may bepassed back over the hook and loop fastener of the other strap to ensuresecure interconnection between the straps.

[0032] Preferably, the second retaining portion also includes oppositestraps suitably formed integrally with the main body which may beinterconnected about the ankle of the user. The straps suitably carryzones of complementary hook and loop fastener which cooperate to securethe strap around the ankle. The strap may include a plurality of zonesof hook and loop fastener which may be sandwiched between each other toenhance interconnection of the straps.

[0033] Where a leg rope is used it may be connected to the secondretaining portion of the footwear by any suitable connection arrangementknown in the art or alternatively, a leg rope may be releasablyconnected to the second retaining portion by a looped fasteningarrangement. Webbing may be incorporated into the second retainingportion to strengthen the ankle straps and the leg rope may be connectedto the webbing such that the footwear article may be used in place ofthe conventional surfboard leg rope assembly.

[0034] Thus in a further aspect, the present invention provides leg ropeassembly for attachment to a surfboard or other water-craft, said legrope assembly comprising a foot engaging portion, said foot engagingportion including a first retaining portion adapted to extend over andbe secured to the foot of the user and a second retaining portionadapted to extend around and be secured to the ankle of a user, and aleg rope fixed at one end to or adjacent said second retaining portion.

[0035] As an alternative, the footwear article may be used incombination with a conventional strap of a leg rope which is attached tothe surfboard. For this purpose, loops may be provided on the inside ofthe second retaining portion to receive a conventional leg rope strap.In a further arrangement, the strap of the leg rope may be securedaround the second retaining portion of the footwear article.

[0036] The main body of the footwear article also suitably includes acentral opening for receipt of the heel of the user, the opening beingshaped so as to in effect expand to accommodate the heel.

[0037] Where used with a pad assembly of the above described type, aperson can locate the foot on the pad assembly so as to engage the hookand loop fastener on the footwear article with the rib or ribs on theinsert carrying the complementary hook and loop fastener, and leavingthe toe and heel of the foot on the pad member.

[0038] Where used with a grip pad of the above described type, the grippad is preferably of a width less than the distance between the toes andheel of a person wearing the footwear article. Thus in use, a person canlocate the foot on the pad so as to engage the hook and loop fastenerwith the rib or ribs on the insert carrying the hook and loop fastenerleaving the toe and heel of the foot of the user free for contact withthe surfboard such as to give the user “feel” to facilitate maneuvers.

[0039] The part of the lower surface of the article of footwear whichcorresponds to the arch of the foot is typically covered by the hook andloop fastener however that part may be provided with different zones ofhook and loop fastener provided for example in strips extendingtransversely of the foot in use. The zones of hook and loop fastener mayhave different grip properties to vary in use the extent or nature ofengagement between the footwear article and pad assembly or grip pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In order that the invention may be more readily understood andput into practical effect, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention and wherein:

[0041]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred pad assembly of the presentinvention for use with a surfboard according to a first embodiment ofthe invention;

[0042]FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1;

[0043]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the region B of FIG. 2;

[0044]FIG. 4 illustrates in exploded view components of the padassembly;

[0045]FIG. 5 illustrates a surfboard having the pad assemblies of theinvention affixed thereto engaged by the rider of a surfboard.

[0046]FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred pad of the present invention foruse with a surfboard according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0047]FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 6;

[0048]FIG. 8 illustrates a surfboard having a pad of the inventionaffixed thereto and the manner of engagement by footwear worn by asurfboard rider.

[0049]FIGS. 9 and 10 are opposite side views of the article of footwearfor use with the above pads according to an embodiment of the inventionin a substantially planar attitude;

[0050]FIGS. 11 and 12 are an underside view and top view of the articleof footwear of FIGS. 9 and 10 in a connected attitude as applied to thefoot of a user;

[0051]FIG. 13 illustrates in side view the article of footwear appliedto the foot of a user;

[0052]FIG. 14 is a rear view showing the article of footwear applied tothe foot of a user; and

[0053]FIG. 15 illustrates a further form of surfboard grip pad withwhich the article of footwear may be used.

[0054] The embodiments shown in the drawings and referred to belowdescribe the application of the pad assembly and grip pads of theinvention and associated footwear to a surfboard however it will beappreciated that the pad assembly, pad and footwear article may beapplied to any other article or in any other area where an enhanced gripis required.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0055] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is illustrates a grippad assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention for usetypically on a surfboard 11 (see FIG. 5). The pad assembly 10 includesan outer pad member 12 made from EVA or any other suitable plasticscushioning material which is moulded on its upper surface with aplurality of grip enhancing raised lands 13 separated by water sheddingchannels 14. The pad member 12 is provided on its underside with a selfadhesive layer 15 which may be covered by a backing strip which may beremoved to allow the pad member 12 to be secured to the surface of thesurfboard 11 and further includes a raised step 17 along its rear edgeor heel portion.

[0056] The pad member 12 in this embodiment has a central opening orcut-out portion 16. An insert 18 of complementary shape to the centralopening 16 is adapted to be located within the opening 16 and alsoadhered to the surface of the surfboard 11. The insert 18 for thispurpose also has a self adhesive layer 19 covered by a backing which maybe removed to enable adherence as above. The insert 18 is provided onits upper surface with one part such as the loop portion of a hook andloop fastener 20. Preferably the insert 18 is constructed of a base 21of an EVA or other plastics material to which the hook and loop fastener20 is affixed or adhered. Alternatively the base 21 may be moulded tothe underside the hook and loop fastener 20. The base 21 is formed withan integral central raised nib or arch bar 22 which extendslongitudinally of the insert 18.

[0057] The pad assembly 10 is designed to be affixed to a rear sectionof a surfboard 11 as shown in FIG. 5 on the longitudinal axis of thesurfboard 11 and with the insert 18 and rib 22 of the insert, 18extending longitudinally. Where required for use on the front of thesurfboard 11 or in a mid-section thereof, a pad assembly 23 similar tothe pad assembly 10 is used however in this case the raised step 17 isomitted.

[0058] The pad assemblies 10 and 23 are arranged to be used with anarticle of footwear 24 (an example of which is described further below)which may be secured to the foot of a user and which has a lower surfacebeneath the arch of the foot to which is attached the hook portion of ahook and loop fastener for cooperation with the loop portion of the hookand loop fastener 20 on the pad insert 18 of respective pad assemblies10 and 23.

[0059] In use, the rider can place his feet on the pad assemblies 10 and23 by locating the arch of the foot on ribs 22 on the inserts 18 andover the ribs 22 as shown in FIG. 5. This “locks” the rider onto thesurfboard 11 through the engagement between the complementary hook andloop fasteners on the article of footwear 24 and inserts 18. This allowsthe rider to undertake aerial maneuvers which are enhanced through theattachment between the rider and the surfboard 11. Variation of theengagement between the rider and the surfboard 11 can be achieved byrepositioning the feet on the pad assemblies 10 and 23 so that there ismore or less engagement with the hook and loop fastener 20 on theinserts 18 and the non-slip material is of the outer pad members 12.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hook and loop fastener 20 on theinsert 18 which is in the form of a planar fabric-like material isfolded or rolled down over and around the outer periphery of the insertbase 21 so as to commence at 25 from the lower surface of the insertbase 21. This will reduce the risk of the hook and loop fastener 20becoming detached when sliding the foot over the pad assembly 10 (or23). In a particularly preferred form, the inner edge of the outer padmember 12 may be provided with a raised rib 26 (shown in dotted outlinein FIG. 2) to further protect the hook and loop fastener 20 on theinsert 18 to prevent its detachment 17.

[0061] Where it is desired that the pad assembly 10 be used forconventional surfing, the hook and loop fastener 20 of the insert 18 maybe covered with an overtread 27 (see FIG. 4) provided on its undersidewith a hook and loop fastener 28 complementary to the fastener 20 on theinsert 18. The overtread 27 which suitably is formed of the samematerial as the outer pad member 12 may be provided on its upper surfacewith a grip enhancing pattern which is the same as on the pad member 12or an alternative grip enhancing pattern. Advantageously the overtread27 may be the portion of the pad member 12 formed by cutting out of theopening 16. The pad assembly 10 (or 23) when the insert 18 is coveredwith the overtread 27 which engages therewith through the cooperativehook and loop fasteners 28 and 20 will be converted simply to a gripenhancing pad.

[0062] It will be appreciated that the insert 18 may be removed andreplaced by an insert with an alternative rib configuration, withalternative grades of hook and loop fastener or simply with a selfadhesive pad similar to the overtread 27 to again convert the padassembly 10 to a grip enhancing pad similar to a pad of conventionalform. It will be further appreciated that the pad assemblies 10 and 23may be in many different shapes and configurations and may include anumber of inserts 18 carrying hook and loop fastener 20 if desired. Asurfboard 11 may carry only one pad assembly or spaced pad assemblies asillustrated.

[0063] In an alternative configuration, the insert 18 may be adhered orattached to the pad member 12. The pad member 12 for this purpose mayinclude a base layer or layers which is adhered to the substrate such asa surfboard deck and the opening 16 is in this case formed as a recessin the pad 12. The insert 18 may then be secured to the base layer orlayers within the recess by self adhesive means or other attachmentmeans.

[0064] Whilst the insert 18 described above is used in combination withan outer pad member 12 having a grip enhancing surface pattern, it mayitself be used separately as a grip enhancing pad as shown and describedwith reference to FIGS. 6 and 8. As illustrated, a pad 30 according tothis embodiment of the invention again is for use typically on asurfboard 31 (see FIG. 8), the pad 30 including a base 32 made from EVAor any other suitable plastics cushioning material. The base 32 isprovided on its underside with a self adhesive layer 33 which may becovered by a backing strip which may be removed to allow the pad 30 tobe secured to the surface of the surfboard 31.

[0065] The pad 30 in this embodiment is of elongated form and rounded atopposite ends and is provided on its upper surface with the loop portionof a hook and loop fastener 34. Preferably the base 32 is adhered to thehook and loop fastener 34, which is in the form of a planar fabric-likematerial, by a suitable adhesive. Alternatively the base 32 may bemoulded to the underside the hook and loop fastener 34. For enhancinggrip, the base portion 32 is formed with an integral central raisedridge or arch bar 35 which extends longitudinally of the pad 30. The pad30 preferably has a maximum transverse width “W” less than the distancebetween the toes and heel of a user for a purpose which will hereinafterbecome apparent.

[0066] The pad 30 may be adhered to a rear section of a surfboard 31 onthe longitudinal axis of the surfboard 31 and with the ridge 35extending longitudinally as shown in FIG. 8. Where required for use onthe front or mid-section of the surfboard 31, a further similar pad 30may be adhered in a similar manner.

[0067] The pads 30 are arranged to be used with an article of footwear36 which may be attached to the ankles of a user and which has a lowersurface beneath the arch of the foot to which is attached or whichcarries a hook portion of a hook and loop type fastener 37.

[0068] In use, the rider can place his feet on a pad 30 by locating thearch of the foot on ridge 35 of the pad 30. This “locks” the rider ontothe surfboard 31 through the engagement between the complementary hookand loop fastener 34 and 37 and allows the rider to undertake aerialmaneuvers which are enhanced through the attachment between the riderand the surfboard 31. Variation of the engagement between the rider andthe surfboard 31 can be achieved by repositioning the feet on the pad 30so that there is more or less engagement with the hook and loop material34 on the pad 30. The toes and heel of the user however extend over theopposite sides of the pad 30 to enable engagement with the surface ofthe surfboard 31 adjacent the pad 30 to improve “feel” and provide asecondary grip.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, the hook and loop material 34 is folded orrolled down over around the edges of the base 32 so as to commence fromthe lower surface of the pad 30. This will reduce the risk of the hookand loop material 34 becoming detached when sliding the foot over thepad 30.

[0070] Where it is desired that the pad 30 be used for conventionalsurfing, the hook and loop fastener 34 of the pad 30 may be covered withan overtread provided on its underside with a complementary hook andloop fastener (and which for example may be in the form of the overtread27 of FIG. 4). The overtread which suitably is formed of EVA or otherplastics material may be provided on its upper surface with a gripenhancing pattern. The pad 30 when covered with the overtread whichengages therewith through the cooperative hook and loop fastener will beconverted simply to grip enhancing pads.

[0071] It will be appreciated that the pads 30 may be removed andreplaced by pads 30 with an alternative ridge configurations, or withalternative grades of hook and loop fastener 34. It will be furtherappreciated that the pads 30 may be in many different shapes andconfigurations. The pads 30 may be used in any orientation on asurfboard and may be used in combination with conventional deck grippads if desired.

[0072] A typical article of footwear 40 for use with the pad assembly 10or pad 30 as described above is shown in FIGS. 9 to 14. The article offootwear 40 according to the present invention includes a main body 41formed of a wetsuit type material such as neoprene and which normally isplanar. The main body 41 for example may be simply cut using a cuttingknives or other severing means from a planar sheet of neoprene. The mainbody 41 includes a central portion 42 and first pair of opposite straps43 and 44 extending to opposite sides of the portion 42 and a secondpair of opposite straps 45 and 46 extending to opposite sides of theportion 42, the straps 43 and 44 being adapted to be passed around theankle of the user and the straps 45 and 46 being adapted to be passedabout the foot of the user. The central portion 42 includes on itsnormal outer side a zone 47 of hook and loop fastener defined by a padsecured such as by gluing or sewing to the central portion 42. The zone47 in this embodiment preferably comprises the hook portion of a hookand loop fastener. The central portion 42 also includes a somewhat heartshaped aperture 48 which in use receives the heel of the user.

[0073] The strap 43 includes on one side, the normally inner side, a pad49 of hook and loop fastener suitably hook fastener secured by gluing orsewing to the strap 43 whilst the strap 44 on the opposite or outer sideincludes a pad 50 of complementary hook and loop fastener suitably loopfastener. The central portion 42 may also include on its outer side astrap 51 of webbing aligned with the straps 43 and 44 for strengtheningthe ankle strap region and for incorporating if desired a surfboard legrope (as described further below). The hook and loop fastener pads 49and 50 do not extend to the end of the respective straps 43 and 44 sothat a portion for gripping by the hand of a user is left free.

[0074] The strap 45 also includes a pad 52 of hook and loop fastener onone (the outer) side, and the strap 46 includes a pad 53 ofcomplementary hook and loop fastener on the opposite (the inner) side.Suitably the pad 52 comprises hook material and the pad 53 comprises acomplementary loop material. The pad 52 suitably extends around the endof the strap 45 as at 52′ whilst the pad 53 includes a free tongue 53′on it inner end for enhancing attachment as described further below.

[0075] The central body portion 42 also includes loops 54 adjacent thejunction of the straps 43 and 44 with the portion 42 on the inner sideof the footwear article 40 for receipt of the ankle strap of aconventional leg rope if desired.

[0076] In use and as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the footwear article 40is applied to the foot 55 of a user by pushing the heel into the opening48, and passing the straps 43 and 44 around the ankle 56 and the straps45 and 46 around the fore part 57 of the foot 55. As is apparent, thestrap 44 is located against the ankle 56 whilst the strap 43 overlapsthe strap 44 with the straps being interconnected through thecooperating pads 49 and 50 of complementary hook and loop fastener.Similarly, the strap 46 is located against the fore part 57 of the foot55 whilst the strap 45 overlaps the strap 46 and is connected thereto bythe complementary pads 52 and 53. For additional security, the tongue53′ is looped back to engage with the pad portion 52′ on the upper sideof the strap 45. The connection between the straps 43 and 44 and 45 and46 are suitably achieved by pulling the straps tightly about the footand then engaging the complementary pads as described above so that thefootwear article 40 is firmly held to the foot 55. The article offootwear 40 when applied to the foot 55 leaves the toes and forward part57 of the foot free as well as the heel 58 so that the user is able to“feel” the underneath surface.

[0077] Where the footwear article 40 is to be used in combination with aconventional leg rope for attachment to a surfboard, the leg ropenormally includes an ankle strap which includes portions ofcomplementary hook and loop fastener for attachment about the ankle. Theconventional ankle strap 59 shown in dotted outline in FIG. 9 may bepassed through the loops 54 and attached firstly around the ankle 56prior to attachment of the footwear article 40. The leg rope 60 may bepassed out through the opening 48 for connection to a surfboard.Alternatively, the strap 59 of the leg rope may be secured around theankle 56 over the straps 43 and 44 after the latter have been securedtogether, or secured around the ankle 56 above the straps 43 and 44.

[0078] In an alternative arrangement, a leg rope 60 may be attached tothe webbing 51 at the position 61 (see FIGS. 8, 13 and 14) using aconventional anchoring arrangement such that the footwear article 40 cantake the place of a conventional foot strap. Of course in thisembodiment, the grip pad 47 may be eliminated so that the footweararticle 40 can be used in all applications where conventional leg ropesare used.

[0079] The footwear article 40 may be used with pad assemblies of thetype shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 or grip pads of the type shown in FIGS. 6 to8. Alternatively, the footwear article 40 may be used with a pad 62 ofthe type shown in FIG. 15 which may be located at the rear of asurfboard 63. The pad 62 includes a grip surface 64 and zones 65 and 66of hook and loop fastener which are complementary to the fastener zoneor pad 57 on the footwear article 40. The pad 62 in this embodiment alsoincludes a raised step 67 which provides a secondary grip. The wearer ofthe footwear article 40 may simply control the extent of engagement ofthe foot with the pad 62 by positioning the fastener zone or pad 57 asdesired on the zones 65 or 66. This can be done with both feet wherepads are provided at the rear of the board and towards the noserespectively or only one foot where only one pad 62 is provided on thesurfboard 63. For detachment of the footwear article 40 from one of thezones 65 or 66, the user may pivot his foot upwardly about the ankle ortoes to release the complementary gripping hook and loop fasteners.

[0080] The article of footwear 40 may be in a number of differentdesigns as may the pad or pads 62 with which the footwear article 40 isengaged. Thus the article of footwear 40 may be used in combination withthe pad assembly 10 or pad 30 with maximum grip being achieved when thepad 47 is located over the rib 22 such as to effect engagement betweenthe complementary portions of the hook and loop fastener and additionalgrip being achieved through physical engagement with the rib 22. Theheel and toes of the user are free to engage either the pad 12 oradjacent surface of the surfboard to provided improved grip and feel. Itwill also be appreciated that the design of the article of footwear 40as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is such that it can be used either on theleft or the right foot. Further the article of footwear 40 of one sizecan fit a large range of sizes of foot by simply tightening the straps43 and 44 and 45 and 46 around the foot.

[0081] The configuration of the pad assemblies 10 and 30 are such thatmany different combinations of grip may be achieved (by use of theovertreads 27 where required) or by use of different combinations ofpads 10 and 30.

[0082] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodimentof the invention, all variations and modifications thereto as would beapparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within thebroad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A deck pad assembly, said pad assembly comprising a pad member and atleast one insert within said pad member, said pad assembly being adaptedto be attached to the deck of a watercraft, skateboard or other articleto which enhanced grip is required, said insert or inserts having on itsor their upper surface, a hook and loop fastener adapted for cooperationwith a garment having one or more zones of a complementary hoop and loopfastener.
 2. A surfboard deck pad assembly for attachment to the deck ofa surfboard, said pad assembly including a pad member and at least oneinsert within said pad member, said at least one insert having on itsupper surface, a hook and loop fastener and said pad member having azone or zones comprising a non-slip surface.
 3. A ground or floor padassembly for use in combination with a garment worn by a person, saidpad assembly comprising a pad member and at least one insert within saidpad member, said pad assembly having a plurality of grip enhancing zoneshaving different grip properties, at least one of said zones comprisinga hook and loop fastener on said at least one insert and said garmenthaving one or more zones of a complementary hoop and loop fastener suchthat in use, by varying the position of placement of said garment onsaid pad assembly and thus varying the contact between said zones ofsaid garment and said pad assembly, said person wearing the garment canselectively control the extent of engagement between said garment andsaid pad assembly to vary the grip between said garment and said padassembly.
 4. A pad assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3wherein said zones of hook and loop fastener substantially cover theupper exposed surface of said insert or inserts.
 5. A pad assemblyaccording to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said pad member isapertured to receive the insert or inserts, the insert or inserts havingan external configuration complementary to the shape of the aperture/s.6. A pad assembly according to claim 5 wherein said pad member has asingle central aperture to receive an insert such that the pad memberperipherally surrounds the insert.
 7. A pad assembly according to anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein said insert has one or more raised ribs orridges on its upper side.
 8. A pad assembly according to claim 7 whereinsaid rib or ridges extend longitudinally relative to the pad assembly.9. A pad assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said padmember includes at least one zone of a non-slip material defining anon-slip surface.
 10. A pad assembly according to any one of claims 1 to9 wherein the lower surfaces of the pad member and insert are providedwith a layer of a pressure sensitive or contact adhesive.
 11. A padassembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the hook andloop fastener on the insert is disposed, at least around the outerperiphery of the insert, below the surface of the adjacent portions ofthe pad member.
 12. A pad assembly according to claim 11 wherein thehook and loop material is folded downwardly around the periphery of theinsert.
 13. A pad assembly according to any one of the preceding claimsand including a overtread for covering said insert, said overtreadhaving on its upper side, a non-slip surface, said overtread having onits lower side a hook and loop fastener complementary to said hook andloop fastener on said insert.
 14. A grip pad, said pad having an upperside, a hook and loop fastener substantially covering said upper sideand adapted for cooperation with a garment having one or more zones of acomplementary hoop and loop fastener, said pad further having on isupper side at least one raised grip enhancing ridge.
 15. A surfboarddeck pad for attachment to the deck of a surfboard, said pad having anupper side, at least one raised ridge on said upper side, and a hook andloop fastener substantially covering said upper side.
 16. A ground orfloor pad for use in combination with a garment worn by a person, saidpad having an upper side, a grip enhancing zone comprising a hook andloop fastener substantially covering said upper side, and at least oneraised ridge on said upper side and said garment having a zone or zonesof a complementary hook and loop fastener such that in use, by varyingthe position of placement of said garment on said pad and thus varyingthe contact between said hook and loop fasteners of said garment andsaid pad, said person wearing the garment can selectively control theextent of engagement between said garment and said pad to vary the gripbetween said garment and said pad.
 17. A pad according to any one ofclaims 14 to 16 including an elongated body having an upper surfacesubstantially covered by said hook and loop fastener.
 18. A padaccording to claim 17 wherein said said ridge or ridges extendlongitudinally of said body.
 19. A pad according to claim 17 or 18wherein said body is formed of a plastics foam material.
 20. A padaccording to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein said body is mouldedwith the ridge or ridges integral.
 21. A pad according to any one ofclaims 17 to 20 wherein said ridge or ridges are provided centrally ofthe body or arranged symmetrically relative to the longitudinalcenterline of the body.
 22. An article of footwear having a firstretaining portion adapted to extend over and be secured about the footof a user and a second retaining portion adapted to extend around and besecured to the ankle of a user, and a grip zone comprising a hook andloop fastener adapted to be located in use under the foot of the wearerso as to leave the toes and the heel free, said hook and loop fastenerbeing adapted to be releasable connected to a grip pad or article havinga complementary hook and loop fastener.
 23. An article of footwear foruse with a surfboard or other water-craft, said article of footwearincluding a first retaining portion adapted to extend over and besecured to the foot of the user and a second retaining portion adaptedto extend around and be secured to the ankle of a user, and means forattaching a leg rope for connection to said surfboard or otherwater-craft.
 24. An article of footwear according to claim 22 or 23 andincluding a main body formed of a planar material, and wherein saidfirst retaining portion includes opposite straps which may be loopedabout the foot of the user and interconnected.
 25. An article offootwear according to claim 24 wherein said straps include complementaryhook and loop fasteners which permit the straps to be interconnected.26. An article of footwear according to claim 24 or claim 25 whereinsaid second retaining portion includes further opposite straps which maybe interconnected about the ankle of the user, said straps includingzones of complementary hook and loop fastener for interconnecting saidfurther straps around the ankle of the user.
 27. An article of footwearaccording to any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein said main body includesa central opening for receipt of the heel of the user.
 28. A leg ropeassembly for attachment to a surfboard or other water-craft, said legrope assembly comprising a foot engaging portion, said foot engagingportion including a first retaining portion adapted to extend over andbe secured to the foot of the user and a second retaining portionadapted to extend around and be secured to the ankle of a user, and aleg rope fixed at one end to or adjacent said second retaining portion.